The Senate Judiciary Committee today ordered reported the nominations of five nominees to the federal bench, all by voice vote, with one exception: Goodwin Liu (Boalt Hall), nominee to the Ninth Circuit, was ordered reported by a roll call along party lines, 10 to 8. (The Committee has approved Liu three times now within a year. Get the full details and history at confirmgoodwinliu.com, a blog tracking Liu's nomination. For more on all federal judicial nominations, check out judicialnominations.org.)

Republicans continue to oppose Liu's nomination based on his 2006 testimony against the confirmation of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court and their concerns that he would be an "activist" judge. They're also likely concerned that Liu, if confirmed now, could later get a nomination to the Supreme Court. Republican Senator Kyl said today that there's a "definite possibility" of a filibuster. If so, full Senate confirmation seems unlikely: None of the 48 Senate Republicans has publicly supported Liu.

In the same meeting today, the Committee ordered reported the Sunshine in the Courtroom Act, S. 410, which would allow (but not require) federal courts, including the Supreme Court, to permit recording, broadcasting, and televising proceedings.